Waiver Wire Week 12: Top Pickups, Adds & Fantasy Rankings

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Getty Corey Coleman returned to action after missing most of the season with a hand injury.

Hopefully you are in a position to start preparing for your fantasy playoffs, or you’re at least looking to strengthen your team for its playoff push. If you are assured a playoff spot, using a roster spot for depth at positions like quarterback and defense could end up being a wise move if you are rostering strong options. This goes against conventional wisdom, but at this point in the season your starting lineup is mostly set if you are already thinking about the playoffs.

This week is also unique with a few players returning to action after sitting out a good portion of the season with injury. The Jaguars rookie wide receiver Dede Westbrook did not have an amazing NFL debut, but he is worth picking up based on his potential. Jacksonville is already short handed at receiver with Allen Robinson out for the season, and Westbrook could play himself into opportunities as the Jaguars make their playoff push.

After recovering from a hand injury, Corey Coleman returned for the Browns, and was immediately utilized in the Cleveland offense. Given the shortage of playmakers on the Browns offense, look for Coleman to be a solid fantasy option as long as he can stay on the field. Another wide receiver to look at is Redskins rookie wideout Josh Doctson, who had his best game of his career this past week against the Saints.

Raven running back Danny Woodhead is another player who made his return, and needs to be owned in every PPR league. If you need help at tight end, Greg Olsen is a player to target if he is sitting on your waiver wire. According to Pro Football Talk, Olsen will return to practice this week, and could play as early as this Sunday if all goes as planned this week.

Rookie running back Samaje Perine had himself a day filling in for Rob Kelley as Perine finished with 23 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown. With Redskins running back Chris Thompson out for the season combined with Kelley’s absence, look for Perine to get the bulk of the carries moving forward.

If your team is fighting to make the playoffs, keep in mind your first priority is winning this week. You do not have the luxury of stashing players with potential rather than picking someone up who could help you this week. Aside from the players listed above who have been injured for most of the season, players are what they are at this point of the year. If a player has not broken out, chances are that player is not going to be fantasy relevant this season.

The following is an overall rankings list that will continue to be updated throughout Week 11, but you should prioritize the players based on your position needs as there is little margin between the players. Ownership percentages are based on ESPN leagues, but applicable across platforms. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @JonDAdams with your specific waiver wire questions.

Here’s a look at my top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 12.


Waiver Wire Week 12: Top Pickups

RANKING PLAYER OWNERSHIP %
1. RB Samaje Perine, Redskins 27
2. WR Corey Coleman, Browns 20
3. RB Danny Woodhead, Ravens 53
4. TE Greg Olsen, Cardinals 60
5. WR Josh Doctson, Redskins 28
6. WR Dede Westbrook, Jaguars 8
7. RB J.D. McKissic, Seahawks 2